Moderately strong quake hits eastern Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A moderately strong earthquake has hit eastern Indonesia, causing panic among residents, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. No tsunami warning was issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 6.1-magnitude quake struck Saturday evening off the eastern province of Papua. It says it was fairly shallow, just 14 kilometers (9 miles) beneath the sea, which often causes more shaking than deeper quakes.

Witnesses said shocked residents and hotel guests in Nabire town ran outside screaming.

Indonesia's meteorology and geophysics agency said there was no danger of a tsunami.

Indonesia has frequent earthquakes because of its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.